Andrew M. Tan

Andrew M. Tan, PhD is a commissioned miniature painter, photographer, and writer with more than 15 years of hands-on hobby experience. He founded and edits Tangible Day, drawing on a PhD in neuroscience and peer-reviewed research to write about attention, learning, and the craft of making things by hand. Full bio: https://tangibleday.com/andrew-m-tan/

The Perfect Paint and Brush Organizer? (JKB Concepts Hobby Organizer Review)

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Hobby paint organizing can be a challenging task. I have hobby paint in every drawer, under the bed, and it’s spilling out of cardboard boxes under my desk. My brushes are in worse places! As a commissioned miniature painter, wargamer, and blogger, I’ve gathered a huge collection of hobby supplies. Just look at my desk! […]

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How Tabletop Gaming Can Help with PTSD

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Tabletop wargaming is becoming an increasingly popular way for those suffering from PTSD to take care of themselves without feeling like they’re neglecting their needs. It’s also a form of therapy that’s not controlled by pharmaceuticals or other treatments, which often carry other problems. It’s rare to find people who regularly make time for meaningful

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Matte Versus Gloss Varnishes for Miniatures and Models (Overview and Best Uses)

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What’s the difference between a matte and gloss varnish for miniatures? Simply put, a gloss varnish creates a reflective, shiny finish on your models. And, a matte varnish produces a non-reflective, dull or flat finish coat on your painted miniatures. But, there are more differences you should know in what varnish type to use, including

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Layering and Glazing for Non-Metallic Metal (NMM) Blending

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Are you looking for a way to smooth out your paint layers on miniatures? Miniature painting often requires that a painter blend multiple colors together to create transitions on a model’s surface. Although there are many color blending techniques, a tried and true approach is to combine paint “layering” with “glazing” to create smooth blends

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Carnage & Glory II: Must-Play Historical Tabletop Wargame? (Review)

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Are you looking for a software-managed, accessible historical miniature wargame? Carnage and Glory II (C&G) is a historical tabletop wargaming system that allows you to engage in simulated armed conflict during the European gunpowder era (early-1600’s to late-1800’s). Carnage & Glory II is unique among other tabletop wargames in that it is computer-mediated with strong

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Lighting Styles and Techniques For Miniature Portfolios (Reference Guide)

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Lighting is a fundamental part of photography, whether you’re a miniature photographer, a fashion photographer, or even a photojournalist. Using appropriate lighting techniques can mean the difference between excellent shots and boring ones. For the hobbyist photographer documenting their miniature collection, these lighting style tips can help you create a unique portfolio. Or, if you’re

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Miniature Painting Inspiration (Tips for Motivation)

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Inspiration is an unconscious burst of creativity. As a miniature painter or other artist, inspiration fuels our desire to make our visions come alive. It is an empowering intellectual and emotional energy. Without inspiration, there is zero internal motivation and all of our efforts are cold-hearted and dull. How do you find and nurture inspiration

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How to Wet Blend Miniatures & Models (Pro Tips, Photos)

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Okay, so you want to wet blend. I hear this is the best way to achieve the smoothest paint blends on miniatures and other acrylic painting surfaces, e.g., canvas or rocks. If you’re looking for an example of how to wet blend, then read on below! In this article, you will see the following: What

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How to Take Better Pictures of Miniatures (Tips and Guide)

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How do you take better miniature photos? Taking great pictures of your miniatures is an important skill as miniature painter and scale modeler. You don’t need expensive equipment or even a dedicated camera to capture professional quality photos of your painted miniatures. In this article, I share my experience in tabletop miniature photography and show

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How to Thin Acrylic Paint for an Airbrush (Tips and Guide)

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How do you thin acrylic paints to airbrush miniatures? As a best practice, you should thin your model paints to the proper viscosity for your airbrush. The proper viscosity for airbrushing depends on the air pressure, the resolution, and the airbrush nozzle size. For simplicity, of course, you could buy “airbrush-ready model paints”. But, these

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How to Prime Miniatures with an Airbrush (Tips and Guide)

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One of the best ways to prime your miniatures and models is with an airbrush. Spraying a primer helps you apply even and smooth coats that make painting more enjoyable. Learning how to prime your miniatures with an airbrush will save you precious time and money. Applying primer with an airbrush can even improve the

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